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Assemblyman Robert Auth , “Asking already overburdened taxpayers to pay more to balance this governor’s budget is grossly irresponsible.”

Assemblyman Robert Auth

March 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Bergen) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Phil Murphy’s $37.4 billion spending proposal:

“Governor Murphy has something for everyone with this budget whether you’re a business owner or hardworking citizen: taxes, taxes and more taxes. Raising taxes on the state’s job creators and spiking the minimum wage by $2.40 an hour will be devastating to our business community and, ultimately, our economy. Middle class families will also take a direct hit with a sales tax increase. The governor obviously is not listening to the people. Asking already overburdened taxpayers to pay more to balance this governor’s budget is grossly irresponsible.”

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The Organization For Economic Growth Calls On N.J. Legislators To Reject Gov. Murphy’s Toxic Budget Proposal

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

 

March 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wayne NJ , Calling Gov. Phil Murphy FY-2019 budget another nail in New Jersey’s economic coffin, the New Jersey Organization for Economic Growth is calling on all legislatures to reject the governor spending plan and create a fiscally responsible budget.

“The governor’s economic plan in no way represents the fiscal reality facing New Jersey; nor does it address the concerns of the business community,” said OEG Chairman Joseph Caruso. “New Jersey leads the nation in taxes and has the worst business reputation in the country — and Gov. Murphy, unfortunately, wants to continue those trends”.

Murphy’s $37.4 billion spending plan is $2.7 billion – or 8 percent higher than the state’s current budget. Murphy’s FY-2019 budget increases spending by $1.5 billion and calls for an increase in the sales tax, as well as increases in the corporate business tax and another millionaire’s tax .

Murphy called his budget proposal “fiscally and morally sound,” which raised the ire of OEG Executive Director Alex Cucciniello.

“There is nothing moral about raising taxes on hardworking people and those who are trying to run businesses,” said Cucciniello. “There is nothing moral about supporting a budget plan that will lead to fewer jobs. The governor’s sense of morality is out step with residents of this state,” said Cucciniello.

“This budget will crush small businesses and the middle class in New Jersey. If the Governors goal is to get people to leave the state he is doing the right thing, ” said OEG Vice-Chairwoman Katie Cericola, an accountant. “New Jersey already has the highest corporate tax in the nation, increasing it will result in fewer jobs.

“Young people like me want to stay in New Jersey; it’s our home. But politicians like Gov. Murphy are making it hard for us to live here. He and his administration are out of touch with the economic struggles of Millennials,” added Cericola.

The governor’s proposed increased in taxes and spending — including adding $2.1 million to pay for legal fees for illegal immigrants who face federal justice, is an attack on working people in New Jersey, said Vice-Chairman John DePinto.

‘There are hard working legal residents of our state who cannot afford an attorney; yet we have a governor who wants those working people to pay for the legal bills of illegal immigrants so they can continue to violate federal law. That is not a morally or fiscally acceptable position,” said DePinto.

“The governor wants the already overtaxed people of New Jersey to pay for his progressive ideology. His personal priorities are wrong for the state,” added DePinto.

OEG officials said Murphy’s FY 2019 budget proposal failed to even consider cutting spending.

“In a state that is recognized as the most overtaxed in the nation; a state that is losing jobs and business investment; the fiscally prudent thing to do would be to find ways to reduce spending. But it appears that the governor’s team just larded more fat on an already bloated state budget,” said Cucciniello.

DISAPPOINTING

Caruso called the governor’s introduction of his first budget disappointing beyond expectations.

“The people of New Jersey elected a governor who ran on a platform of raising taxes. and that’s just what he intends to do. But I don’t think anyone could imagine that it would be this bad,” he said.

Caruso noted that the governor’s budget proposal fails to address the state’s very real and very damaging pension deficit.

“Like governor’s before him, Mr. Murphy actually believes New Jersey taxpayers can afford the public pension system the politicians created. And to continue the deception, Gov. Murphy, like governor’s before him, has greatly exaggerated the return on pension investments so he doesn’t have to deal with the giant pension and retiree benefits hole that gets bigger every month.”

REJECT THE PROPOSAL

Cucciniello said he hopes the legislature will reject the governor’s proposal and start over.

“Hopefully there are fiscally responsible people in Trenton who will not ignore the fact that New Jersey’s fiscal policies are causing great damaging the people of this state Hopefully, they will not continue to ignore the plight of many people — Millennials and retirees – who have to make the tough decision to leave New Jersey because our elected officials simply don’t want to make the tough decisions required to make this state affordable for the middle class,” said Cucciniello.

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Murphy Plans to Deliver on Promises to Raise Your Taxes

murphys las

march 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Gov. Murphy introduces 2019 budget in State House address, and no surprise he rattled off a series of significant tax increases for the garden State . Murphy had run on a platform of raising taxes or what critics called “Murphy’s Law” and here is just a few he wants to start with ; a sales tax increase to 7%, tax on AirBnB rentals , new taxes on Uber and Lyft, E- Cigarette taxes, legal Marijuana taxes of 25% plus sales tax, income tax for $1 million plus and new business taxes.

 

 

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Threat of Massive Murphy Tax Increase Already Driving Away Jobs from New Jersey

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

February 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, since the election of Phil Murphy New Jersey’s unemployment rate has continued to increase putting it now almost one full percentage point higher than the U.S. unemployment rate.

New Jersey’s economic growth has lagged behind the rest of the country for years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But in late 2015, New Jersey’s unemployment rate started to improve. Governor Chris Christie applauded the state’s economic growth.

Last summer, though, the state’s unemployment rate increased again, sharply departing from the national trajectory. The rate increased for nearly four months before dipping slightly in January.

Now, New Jersey’s rate sits at 5.0 while the U.S. rate is 4.1. Critics of the Governor Murphy point out his push for massive tax increases may have already had  the effect of increasing flight out of the state of jobs .

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Reader says Murphy Tax Increases Will Kill Commuters and Then Real Estate Values

ridgewood Train station

When taxes on the $400k+ folks exceed the NY tax rates on the same folks by 2-4%, the will prefer to stay in NY state (most work in NYC anyway.)

This will lead to long term decline in real estate values, and higher taxes, for the very constituents Josh represents.

If in doubt, just check with any friends in Fairfield County CT to see how the tax hikes have worked out for them.

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New Jersey Republican Leadership Stands Together On 2018 Priorities

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

February 11,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood

Trenton NJ,  NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and GOP Chair of Chairs Jose Arango released the following statement regarding their shared commitment to protect New Jersey families from the dangerous agendas of Democrats at all levels of government and to promote the Republican ideas that will make our state more affordable and prosperous:

“NJ Republicans stand together ready to offer a responsible alternative to Bob Menendez, Nancy Pelosi and Phil Murphy’s liberal agenda of promised tax hikes, cumbersome government regulations, and misplaced priorities,” said NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt. “We’re ready to fight for all New Jerseyans, with a collective voice, in all 21 counties, and all 565 municipalities. Now is the time for action.”

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean reiterated his sentiment that Republicans are the party of common sense and solutions, “The people of New Jersey are facing a growing affordability crisis and raising taxes for new government spending is a recipe to exacerbate our state’s biggest problem. Republicans stand united behind our solutions and ideas to transform the Garden State into a place where affordability and opportunity abound.”

“Republicans may be in the minority, but we will stand up for the people of this state in a civil and serious manner,” said Bramnick. “We pledge to work collectively as a party to pass reforms that are so desperately needed to reduce New Jersey’s property taxes and make this state more competitive.”

GOP Chair of Chairs, Jose Arango vigorously vowed to create the necessary contrast to give Republicans momentum in their fight to win elections this year, “The four of us all stand together in agreement that the Phil Murphy, Nancy Pelosi, Bob Menendez plan to raise taxes and make New Jersey a sanctuary state is unacceptable and we will be proactively fighting it every step of the way. We’re working together to build a coalition that will reject Bob Menendez and stop the Nancy Pelosi takeover of New Jersey in November.”

Theresa Winegar, Executive Director of the NJGOP added, “All four leaders are entering 2018 unified and energized. The NJGOP has a dedicated team of 42 State Committee members, 21 County Chairs, 15 Senators, 26 Assembly members and countless municipal leaders, community activists and volunteers dedicated to making New Jersey more affordable; and ready for the 2018 election cycle.”

Now lets see if they actually follow through .

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FDU Poll 39% believe the state is on solid footing with Murphy at the helm ?

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

January 31,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, FDU’s Public Mind released a poll showing Governor Phil Murphy garnering a 35% approval rating in his first two weeks in office, with 21% disapproving and 40% who don’t know yet. His predecessors fared better in their first weeks in office: Governor Christie had a 48-31%, while Governor Corzine had 47-16%.

One bright spot for Murphy, is according to the poll, there is optimism among the respondents in the direction of the state: 39% believe the state is on solid footing with Murphy at the helm, compared to 18% in October when Christie was still in office. President Trump has a 31-60% favorable/unfavorable rating, according to the same poll.

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New Jersey Once Again Ranks Last in Business Tax Climate

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

December 20,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the latest Tax Foundation ratings are out and once again New Jersey ranks dead last in business climate . #50 New Jersey ranked in the bottom 5 along with
#49 New York , #48 California ,#47 Vermont and #47 District of Columbia .

Neighboring states ,#15 Delaware ,#26 Pennsylvania and #49 New York .

According to the Tax Foundation , “The absence of a major tax is a common factor among many of the top 10 states. Property taxes and unemployment insurance taxes are levied in every state, but there are several states that do without one or more of the major taxes: the corporate income tax, the individual income tax, or the sales tax. Wyoming, Nevada, and South Dakota have no corporate or individual income tax (though Nevada imposes gross receipts taxes); Alaska has no individual income or state-level sales tax; Florida has no individual income tax; and New Hampshire, Montana, and Oregon have no sales tax.

This does not mean, however, that a state cannot rank in the top ten while still levying all the major taxes. Indiana and Utah, for example, levy all of the major tax types, but do so with low rates on broad bases.

The states in the bottom 10 tend to have a number of afflictions in common: complex, nonneutral taxes with comparatively high rates. New Jersey, for example, is hampered by some of the highest property tax burdens in the country, is one of just two states to levy both an inheritance tax and an estate tax, and maintains some of the worst-structured individual income taxes in the country . “

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New Jersey Taxes Going through the Roof ,Run For Your Life

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the Bergen Record ,Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Murphy said Tuesday that he is “confident” his proposal to increase taxes on New Jersey’s millionaires will go through, even as Democratic leaders in the Legislature have cooled on the idea in light of GOP tax plans being considered in Congress.

Murphy and his Democratic allies say that the bill would increase taxes on income over $1 million from a top rate of 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent. The Fantasy is that the new tax could generate up to $600 million for the state, which Murphy claims the state will use to increase funding for New Jersey’s public schools.

The are going to need it ,again according to the Bergen Record there will be $1.2 billion less revenue available next fiscal year than the current year. Specifically: $700 million in one-time revenues are in the current budget . The two largest being $300 million in legal settlements principally related to environmental claims and $321 million for sale of public broadcasting assets. And, the continued phase out of the estate tax, a decrease in the sales tax rate and exclusions/deductions in the income tax will result in $520 million less revenue from these sources.

The remaining tax base will yield $1 billion at best and that ‘s not sufficient to cover the lost revenue and address normal program growth. How to address this “squeeze” will be a challenge.

The current year or 2018 looks equally disturbing, the current budget has only a $409 million surplus that’s barely 1 percent of spending. There is no money in the Rainy Day Fund.

An none of this is taking into account greater outmigration according to Jordan Amin, a tax partner at EisnerAmper, “I think where some of these provisions that are affecting New Jersey harder than some other states — like the repeal of the state and local tax deductions — the incoming governor wants to increase the highest income tax rate in the state, currently 9 percent, to 10.75 percent, and I think that that may meet some opposition, now that some of the state taxes are not going to be deductible at the federal level. And we have all read about people supposedly fleeing New Jersey for other low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions, such as Florida. I think that there is some concern (the tax) … could cause a greater migration outward.”

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Murphy Needs You on His Transition Team

Tax and Spend Democrat Phil Murphy for Governor

November 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Murphy transition maintained a pretty low profile during Thanksgiving week, and the governor-elect himself made just one photo op feeding the down and out and less fortunate.

But there is plenty to be done behind the scenes: speeches to write, interviews to conduct, names to vet for jobs and Phil Murphy needs you to help out.

Phil Murphy rolled out his transition website, complete with a “Help Wanted ” sign and many job opportunities. Much like the official governor’s website, the transition site contains news and biography information for Murphy and his leadership team. But it was announced on Tuesday with a focus on finding people to fill out the functions of his administration.

“New Jersey’s greatest asset is its people,” Murphy said in a statement. “I call for all those interested in serving our administration to visit the Transition2018 website and submit their résumé for consideration. We will put an administration together that reflects New Jersey’s rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to making those opportunities open to all.”

The website address is transition2018.nj.gov.

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New Jersey’s public-pension system currently holds less than 38 percent of what the state owes its retirees

Phill Murphy Clear Water

November 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, according to Michael Lilley in the article New Jersey Public Unions, Ascendant https://www.city-journal.org/html/new-jersey-public-unions-ascendant-15568.html ,

“New Jersey’s public-pension system currently holds less than 38 percent of what the state owes its retirees, which amounts to a $135 billion shortfall. Adding to this unfunded liability, the state also owes retirees $67 billion for future health-care payments, and has set aside no money for that obligation. That’s a combined tab of $202 billion. The entire state budget, by contrast, is $35 billion. To fund its obligations properly, the state would have to put aside $4.8 billion a year, or almost 15 percent of the budget; those costs are expected to grow to $11.3 billion by 2027. Unreformed, the cost of these benefits is unsustainable. During his campaign, Murphy promised to fix the pension system by fully funding it, though he wouldn’t give specifics.”

A very ugly reality for the governor elect , but even uglier for taxpayers is the fact that ,” Murphy’s problem, however, is that his biggest allies, especially the teachers’ union, contributed mightily to the pension mess over the years by winning plush benefits, acquiescing to accounting gimmicks that made the system look well-funded, and fighting against cost-saving reforms. Murphy has already proposed $1.3 billion in new taxes, and without making the changes to the pension system that the unions oppose, the state’s taxpayers face years of additional tax increases and spending cuts to pay the pension bill.”

Lilley goes on , “Murphy’s pledge helped win endorsements from the NJEA and other public-sector unions. By law, public school teachers must join the NJEA or, if they decline, pay a so-called agency fee to the union representing 85 percent of dues. The money is deducted from their paychecks, which are largely funded by local property taxes. Last year, the NJEA took in over $120 million in union dues and agency fees. Since 1994, the union has collected $1.85 billion, and it has invested much of this money in New Jersey politics: since 1994, the NJEA has spent $874 million on political activities, or about 56 percent of its annual operational expenditures, an average of $38 million a year.”

A beholden bought ad paid for  politician and a massive pension short fall can mean only one thing ,massive new taxes .

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Aronsohn and Simincini Make the Murphy Transition team

titanic_theridgewoodblog
November 22,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, both former Mayor Paul Aronsohn and Ron Simincini were selected for the Murphy transition team.
Aronsohn in Human and Children Services and Simincini in Housing .

Well Ridgewood you now know what you voted for . Murphy has made it abundantly clear that he intends to raise your taxes ,yes you . He is also aiming to pursue his social justice utopia with more forced over development .
Aronsohn may have rejuvenated his political career by failing upwards .
https://www.roi-nj.com/2017/11/20/politics/murphy-releases-full-transition-team-membership/
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Reader says Every senior in town is subsidizing the residents with children in school

seniors working artchick

photo by ArtChick

Every senior in town is subsidizing the residents with children in school.
Without exception, every time a senior sells their home it’s purchased by new residents with children in schools.
If the historic trend accelerates (due to expected tax increases because of Governor elect Murphy’s promises ) then our taxes will go up exponentially as seniors move away.
The best way to keep our property taxes to a minimum is to keep our seniors , empty nesters , and those residents without children in the schools.
For the tax dollars the seniors pay they get virtually nothing in return. And do so cheerfully and willingly.

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HIGH TAX RATES ARE DECIMATING STATE ECONOMIES AND LEADING TO A WEALTH EXODUS IN AMERICA

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 6,2017
by Kevin Ryan

It’s a simple concept that has eluded many politicians and ideologues, especially on the left. When you raise taxes, people and businesses will leave, bringing with them those taxable incomes your government depends on. One look at the migration patterns within the United States verifies just that.
A book on the subject, How Money Walks, uses official statistics from the Census and the IRS to explore the subject. It found that, between 1995 and 2010:
• The nine states with no personal income taxes gained $146.2 billion in working wealth
• The nine states with the highest personal income tax rates lost $107.4 billion
• The 10 states with the lowest per capita state-local tax burdens gained $69.9 billion
• The 10 states with the highest per capita state-local tax burdens lost $139 billion
According to the authors, “The states that gained working wealth are growing and thriving. The states that lost working wealth lost their most precious cargo—their tax base—and the consequences are dire: stagnation, deterioration, an economic death spiral as they continue to raise taxes and lose people, businesses, and working wealth. The numbers don’t lie.”

Its website includes a fascinating interactive map that shows where people and their money moved to, on a state and even county basis, here: https://www.howmoneywalks.com/irs-tax-migration/
(Note: the interactive map doesn’t work on the Safari browser, so iOS users should view it on the Puffin app instead).
Another website by the authors includes a calculator that will tell you the tax implications of moving from your current state to a different one, here: https://www.savetaxesbymoving.com/
SOURCES: https://www.howmoneywalks.com

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Reader says Just wait for your Tax bills to go up if Murphy is successful in Purchasing the governor office

Phil Murphy

Our taxes,are,less,than Glen Rock and Ramsey . And the original poster never checked westchester or summit for accuracy….they are a lot higher. It’s the whole state of nj . Even shitty towns have high taxes. Police unions, teachers unions, and inner cities that drain the state treasury to fund the abbot schools in all the shithole cities. That’s what you get for allowing democrats to run things in Trenton (who are owned by the unions). Just wait for your bills to go up if Murphy is successful in Purchasing the governor office